DAVID Beckham may have the footballing world at his feet, but he wants to head for the stars - and Greater Manchester's rocket man has offered to help.

Beckham has reportedly claimed that following the end of his soccer career he wants to fly into space. And now bosses at Hyde-based Starchaser Industries have written to the ex-Manchester United ace to offer him his dream trip.

Starchaser boss Steve Bennett - who propelled his first sugar-fuelled rocket 2,500ft into the sky in 1985 - believes he is just 18 months away from launching a three-seater rocket into space.

And he is now hoping that Real Madrid's new star will seize the opportunity to join him on the £500,000 sub-orbital journey, which will bring with it a place in the history books.

"We are delighted to hear you have expressed an interest in space tourism and in particular a trip to the moon," says the letter. "We are in a position to help you experience a sub-orbital trip into space in preparation for your journey to the moon."

Steve and his team of rocket enthusiasts at Starchaser plan to launch the three-seater Thunderbird as part of a bid to win the $10m (£6m) X-Prize, offered to the first non-governmental organisation to launch a rocket into space TWICE.

Two of the four available passenger seats on the craft have already been bought - at a cost of £250,000 a seat. One is being given away in an international competition. But it's the final seat - with a price tag of £500,000 - that Steve hopes will be considered by Beckham.

In return for the six-figure sum, Beckham would get the chance to experience a 23-minute flight into space and four minutes of weightlessness. He would see the earth's curvature and the blackness of space before returning to the ground.

As part of the unique package, he would receive training in freefall parachuting, high-altitude decompression, basic radio procedures and reusable launch vehicle systems operation. And in case of problems, he would receive training in emergency landing and abortive procedures, survival skills and basic first aid.

Following his £25m transfer to Real Madrid, the six-figure price tag may not be a problem for Beckham. But Starchaser has even offered to refund the £500,000, should it win the X-Prize.

"This is the chance of a lifetime," said Steve, who set up Starchaser and has dreamed of launching his own manned spacecraft since he was just six.

"Not only is this a ride into space that will be comfortable and safe, but this is a chance to make history. This is just like the Wright brothers' feat."

Steve has travelled travel to America for a series of drop tests in which the capsule, fitted with a series of parachutes, will be thrown from 14,000ft towards the earth at speeds approaching 150mph - with him inside.

Once the capsule is dropped from a transport aircraft at 14,000ft, the 200kg capsule will be steered to the ground.

Steve, while waiting to see if Beckham is interested by the offer, is also keen to hear from anyone else who may be interested in making the £500,000 purchase.